Hoda Kotb Announces She’s Leaving the Today Show After 17 Years to Focus on Her Children: 'It’s the Right Choice, But It’s Difficult'

Hoda Kotb Announces She’s Leaving the Today Show After 17 Years to Focus on Her Children: 'It’s the Right Choice, But It’s Difficult'

Hoda Kotb is saying goodbye to her anchoring duties on the Today Show after 17 years.

Hoda Kotb is saying goodbye to her anchoring duties on the Today Show after 17 years.

In a heartfelt letter to her NBC colleagues shared on September 26, she wrote, "As I write this, my heart is all over the map. I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. You all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that deeply right now. I love you, but it’s time for me to leave the show."

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Explaining her choice, Kotb noted, "My broadcast career has been incredibly meaningful, but a new decade of my life lies ahead. My daughters and my mom need a bigger slice of my time. I will miss you all dearly, but I’m ready and excited for this next chapter."

She will continue in her current role until early 2025. However, Kotb will remain part of the NBC family after that, stating, "Happily and gratefully, I plan to stay connected with the network, which has been the longest and most cherished work relationship of my life."

"I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family, and you will always be a part of mine," Kotb added.

Kotb serves as the co-anchor of NBC News' Today alongside Savannah Guthrie, and she co-hosts the fourth hour of Today with Jenna Bush Hager.

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She and Guthrie, 52, made history as the first female co-hosting duo on the popular morning show.

Kotb was the inaugural host of Today’s fourth-hour broadcast at 10 a.m., which launched in September 2007. She was later joined by co-host Kathie Lee Gifford in April 2008, and after Gifford's departure, Hager stepped in as Kotb’s co-host in August 2019.

In January 2018, Kotb became co-anchor of Today following the ousting of Matt Lauer due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Throughout her time on the show and on social media, Kotb has openly shared her journey to motherhood.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, which left her unable to conceive, Hoda Kotb adopted her first daughter, Haley Joy, in 2017. In 2019, her family grew again with the adoption of her second daughter, Hope Catherine. She shares both girls with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman.

Although Today is filmed in Manhattan, Kotb and her daughters recently relocated to a suburban home where Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, each have their own rooms.

why is hoda leaving the today show

why is hoda leaving the today show

“They’re so excited to have their own space,” Kotb shared with Today. “They’re thrilled about a reading chair, a beanbag chair, and their beds — all of that!”

Moving to a new home and community brought its own set of challenges.

“It’s all new — new kids, new school, new everything,” Kotb explained. “What I really wanted was for our home to feel warm and cozy, a place where the kids would love to hang out. That was my focus.”

“I want my kids to feel the grass under their feet, play in the yard, ride bikes down the street, and run up and down the stairs,” she told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview about the move. “I envision their life in this perfect house in a lovely little town where they can grow into strong, independent women.”

While Kotb was in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics last month, the girls stayed home but cheered for their mom and Team USA.

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